Friday, October 13, 2006

Macedonia, Balkans have no EU membership timetable, Barroso says

Berlin- European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso said Wednesday that Macedonia and other Balkans countries knocking at the European Union's door could not be given any timetable for membership. Barroso, speaking at a news conference after talks with German Chancellor Angela Merkel, insisted that the EU remained open to taking in countries from the Balkans.

But he added: "To achieve it they have to do a lot in political and economic terms."

Barroso said that for this reason "we cannot commit ourselves to a precise calendar."

The EU is set to admit Bulgaria and Romania to the currently 25-nation bloc next year pending a final green light from several present member states including Germany.

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